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Cyprus Launches De Minimis Sponsorship Plan to Accelerate Global Market Penetration

Government Initiative Aims to Empower Cypriot Exporters

The Cypriot government has taken a decisive step to boost the international competitiveness of its local businesses. The Cabinet recently approved the new De Minimis Sponsorship Plan, designed to support Cypriot companies participating in international trade exhibitions where the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry (MEIC) operates a government booth. The initiative, proposed by Minister George Papanastasiou, is poised to drive Cypriot producers into new markets.

Strategic Investment to Enhance Global Outreach

With a targeted budget of €1,700,000 allocated for 2026, the plan seeks to strengthen the international presence of Cypriot companies involved in manufacturing and product trading. The overarching goal is to increase exports and assist these enterprises in penetrating competitive global marketplaces. This strategic investment is expected to empower businesses to achieve sustainable growth, resonating with similar international initiatives that have successfully deepened market reach.

Eligibility and Submission Guidelines

Eligibility for the scheme extends to companies and officially recognized Producer Groups and Organizations operating in the industrial processing and trading sectors—including those in allied service industries. Notably, the government clarifies that participation is contingent on the timely receipt of applications. Companies are eligible to apply individually via direct submission, by registered mail, or private courier between November 28, 2025, and December 19, 2025. Late submissions beyond December 19, 2025, will be considered untimely and will not be reviewed.

Global Trade Fairs on the Horizon

The approved sponsorship plan will facilitate participation in a series of high-profile international trade fairs. Key events include the Industrial Products Exhibition in Athens (May 8-10, 2026); Food and Beverage exhibitions in Dubai (January 26-30, 2026); and notable exhibitions in Düsseldorf (March 15-17, 2026), Paris (October 17-21, 2026), and Berlin (February 4-6, 2026). These events represent well-timed opportunities for Cypriot businesses to showcase their products on a global stage.

This government-backed initiative is a clear indication of Cyprus’s commitment to fostering economic growth through enhanced international trade. It underscores a forward-thinking approach where strategic public investments catalyze private sector success on global platforms.

EU Opens Health Research Funding Calls: Three Opportunities To Apply

The European Commission has opened new Horizon Europe funding opportunities for research into chronic diseases, independent living for people with disabilities and the effects of climate change on human health.

The three calls are part of the EU’s Horizon Europe Cluster 1: Health programme, which supports research and innovation aimed at improving healthcare, disease prevention and public health.

The opportunities are relevant to research institutions, universities, healthcare innovators and other organisations in Cyprus interested in participating in European research projects, subject to the eligibility requirements of each call.

The deadline for submissions is 17 February 2027, with one programme operating a two-stage application process.

What Funding Opportunities Are Available?

The three calls address different areas of health research and innovation.

1. Innovative Healthcare Interventions for Non-Communicable Diseases

This call focuses on developing innovative healthcare interventions for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including long-term conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.

Non-communicable diseases account for more than 80% of Europe’s disease burden, according to the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA).

The funding opportunity aims to support research into effective treatment and disease management approaches, improving the quality of care for patients when prevention strategies have not been sufficient.

Application deadlines:

  • First stage: 17 February 2027
  • Second stage: 16 September 2027

The call follows a two-stage application process, with proposals progressing to the second stage subject to selection.

View the official funding call and application requirements.

2. Supporting Independent Living for People with Disabilities

The second call addresses the challenges faced by people with long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory disabilities, focusing on improving independent living and social inclusion throughout their lives.

Research may explore new approaches to accessible and person-centred support, including community-based care, personal assistance, assistive technologies and more inclusive living environments.

A central objective is to identify ways to reduce everyday barriers and support the transition from institutional care to independent living within communities.

The call encourages approaches that consider the needs of people with disabilities and their families, while improving access to appropriate support services.

Application deadline: 17 February 2027

View the official funding call and application requirements.

3. Understanding How Climate Change Affects Human Health

The third opportunity supports research into the relationship between climate change, environmental exposure and human health.

Its focus is the human exposome, a scientific concept describing the combined environmental and other exposures individuals experience throughout their lives, including chemical, physical, biological, nutritional and psychosocial factors.

Researchers are invited to investigate how climate-related factors such as extreme heat, air pollution and drought interact with other exposures and influence health outcomes.

The programme encourages multidisciplinary research examining how these exposures change in response to climate conditions, including the role of social and environmental inequalities in determining health risks.

The findings are intended to improve scientific understanding of the health consequences of climate change and environmental degradation.

Application deadline: 17 February 2027

View the official funding call and application requirements.

How To Apply

The three opportunities are part of the European Commission’s Horizon Europe Health programme for 2027.

Applicants should review the individual call documents before preparing proposals, as eligibility rules, consortium requirements and funding conditions vary by topic.

Key application information:

  • Deadline: 17 February 2027, at 17:00 Brussels time, for all three initial submissions.
  • Application platform: EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
  • Eligibility: Determined by each funding topic’s specific requirements and the relevant Horizon Europe participation rules.
  • Two-stage exception: The non-communicable diseases call has an additional deadline of 16 September 2027 for second-stage submissions.

Applications must be submitted electronically through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Applicants can also consult the European Commission’s complete announcement of the 2027 Health funding calls for information on additional opportunities within the programme.

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